If you go to Adobe.com to download a copy of the Flash Player, you might get something extra. Using Internet Explorer, you'll be offered this Google toolbar. See how the check box is already selected? That's what makes it foistware. If you accept the default installation options, the unrelated third-party program is installed.

I'm not a big fan of registry cleaners, and I don't recommend this one. But give IZArc credit for presenting this choice to its customers. No option is selected by default, and the installation can't continue until you make a choice. (Hint: Don't Install is the option I recommend.)

I captured this screen shot in September 2010, also using IZArc. Notice that the default option selected here is Do Not Install. If you're going to pre-select an option on behalf of the user, this is the correct approach.

Clicking the Options button opens this dialog box, where you can see that Skype was about to install add-ons to both Internet Explorer and Chrome. These add-ons can cause your browser to crash, can slow down the opening of page, and change the appearance of phone numbers on web pages. Most people don't want or need these things, and yet Skype installs them automatically.

Ask.com has had a checkered history, and this sort of installation is one reason why. If you accept the default options when you install this program, your home page and search engine will be changed, and you'll get a new toolbar that could slow down your browser or cause it to crash.

The publisher of this otherwise useful program says most people install this recommended "search enhancement." But how can you make an informed choice when you don't even know the name of the add-on, much less who made it or what it does. But if you accept the defaults, you'll find out immediately, because the add-on will be installed for you.

uTorrent is my favorite BitTorrent client, but it's a shame that they have to partner with Microsoft on this bit of foistware. All three options are selected here, which means not only do you get a new toolbar, you also get your home page and default search engine replaced unless you manually clear those check boxes.

The Foxit PDF reader is a popular alternative to Adobe's Reader. But this installation dialog box is particularly confusing in the way it tries to install the Ask toolbar. A nontechnical user might think that clicking Decline means that the program installation stops. And of course it wants to change the home page and search engines.

Foistware: how software companies push software you don't need

I keep running into a sleazy trick that some software vendors play, and I’ve finally reached the breaking point. Software companies large and small try to make a quick buck by tricking their customers into installing software they don’t need. I’m experienced enough to bypass this stuff most of the time, but many of my friends and family members aren’t. And guess who gets the call when some add-on or toolbar has slowed their system to a crawl?I call it foistware, and I’ve decided it’s time to name and shame the worst purveyors of this plague.

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I captured this screen shot in September 2010, also using IZArc. Notice that the default option selected here is Do Not Install. If you're going to pre-select an option on behalf of the user, this is the correct approach.